Online Education Today: Supporting Online Engagement

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Transcript of Online Education Today: Supporting Online Engagement

Online Education TodaySupporting Online EngagementGetting Started....Only 25% of university students are in their late teens to early twenties and entered college right after high school. The remainder participate at other times in their lives, making online courses convenient.

Cathy Sandeen, vice president for education attainment and innovation at the American Council on Education (ACE)Evolving Educational Landscape3 and 10 U.S. Adults report having a bachelor's degreeMore than half of Americans (58%) say the quality of higher education is this country is the same or worse than it has been in the past. More than 1 in 4 (27%) say quality is worse. Only about 1 in 4 Americans (26%) think that higher education is affordable for everyone who needs it. The majority (74%) think that higher education is not affordable at all. 36% of adults cite family responsibilities as the biggest barrier to higher education, while 28% cite cost, 15% job responsibilities and 11% site time to completion as the biggest barriers.Importance of Online Student ServicesThe Burning QuestionsWill online education replace the traditional college environment?What draws online students to online education?How is the changing perception of learning affecting how consumers view traditional vs. online education?Research shows that online students who are engaged in their learning environment persist, but how is "persistence" defined and what does it mean to "engage" online students? How will Student Affairs play a role in the new paradigm of online education?"Expectations for online services continues to rise, and the movement toward anytime, anyplace services for the 21st century continues...." Barnhart, J. (2011). The Virtual World of Student Services. NASPA Leadership Exchange, Winter"Learning is no longer limited to four walls - learning can happen anywhere - and it already is happening everywhere, everyday. the growth of online learning underscores this need for quality, flexible education programs that meet the demands of our 21st-century workforce." Todd Hitchcock, Senior Vice President of Online Solutions, Pearson Learning SolutionsDrexel's Online Student PopulationDrexel Enrollment Summary 2012, Drexel Enrollment ManagementOnline Student Characteristics:Tend to be first generationChoose convenience over reputationValue OrientationsIndicate high levels of Financial Stress - Remission and financial aid are critical to online student's financing plansHave varied sources for college expensesTend to review materials, study and navigate Drexel resources on SundayMay take courses for 2 terms, then take a breakOnline Student Assessment Survey (OSSA) 2012. AARD. New, first time, online undergraduate and graduate students.Lumnia Foundation (2012). America's call for higher education redesign: American public's opinion on higher education. Gallup, Washington, D.C. Drexel Hyperion Report: Census 201215Average Age: 35Average Work Experience: 7-10 YearsLiving in the Del Valley Region:

3,276 out of 5,064State of Online Education: Today's Considerations, Tomorrow's Reality"Online Learning has become popular because of its potential for providing more flexible access to content and instruction at any time, from any place."U,S Department of Education (2010). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning. Center for Technology in Learning, Washington, D.C. Current Trends in Online EducationAccessibility to the Masses (MOOCs)AffordabilityThe Debate: classroom vs. onlinetouch vs. virtualUniversal DesignAsynchronous vs. SynchronousOnline EngagementAcademic Integrity"Online Education is a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It tends to be a monologue and not a real dialogue."Every memorable class is a bit like a jazz composition. The basic melody is the syllabus and the content, but the jazz riff is the interaction between students and the professor.Edmundson, M. (July 19, 2012). The trouble with online education. New York Times. Edmundson, M. (July 19, 2012). The trouble with online education. New York Times. " The cost of attending college is rising above inflation every year, while the premium for doing so shrinks."Shirky, C. (November 12, 2012). Blog Post: Napster, Udacity and the Academy. Downloaded from www.shirky.com. Rearranging people's sense of the possible is now the role of online education. Shirky, C. (November 12, 2012). Blog Post: Napster, Udacity and the Academy. Downloaded from www.shirky.com. Shea, P & Armitage, S. (2011). WCET LAAP Project Beyond the Administrative Core: Creating Web-based Student Services for Online Learners. Downloaded from http://www.wcet.info/projects/laap/guidelines/overview.htmItems to Consider for Student AffairsRetention - Welcoming EnvironmentCommunication - How Students Tap into the UniversityCommunity - Networking and Personal InteractionOnline EngagementTransition and OrientationAccessibility and ConvenienceOnline Learning CouncilThe Online Council's mission is to develop and share strategies that will have positive and lasting impact on the design, delivery, and outcomes of Drexel’s online, hybrid, and enhanced face-to-face courses.AccessibilityCommunicationsQualityRetentionScalabilityStudent Support and EngagementOLC CommitteesStudent Support and Engagement Committee (SSEC)Establishment of Drexel Express WebsiteProduced 8 graduate online pre-matriculation videosContributed to online assessment regarding student engagementMade student events accessible to online learners/Mobile UnitsOnline student accessMentoring modelRe-dedication to Online EducationPresident's university-wide online strategy review and re-envisioning Goodwin CollegeVision to become "student-centric" and improve the student experience“Online” is going to become a larger part of the overall experience for all student populationsParthenon's RecommendationsCreate new department within the University focusing on online studentsGoal to increase undergraduate degree-completion programsRealign Goodwin College's missionCentralize some online servicesProvide quality support services and consistency for all academic program

CommunicationCommunityThe Online Human Touch concept asserts that students are more likely to persist in an online program if they are engaged in and outside of their courses and if the educational experience is personalized. Betts, K. S. (2008). Online human touch (OHT) instruction and programming: A conceptual framework to increase online student engagement and retention in online education, Part I. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 4(3).Communication and engagement are essential to connecting students to an institution and increasing student persistence. Betts, K. S. (2008). Online human touch (OHT) instruction and programming: A conceptual framework to increase online student engagement and retention in online education, Part I. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 4(3).Communication, communication, communication-it’s not possible to do too much! Students should not be left guessing about next steps or what they should be doingCommunication must be adjusted to meet the needs of online studentsCommunication is closely related to persistence for the online populationPersonalized communication is necessary to create an engaging and supportive environmentWays Online Students Tap into DrexelSocial Media: Facebook and TwitterOnline Classrooms: Adobe Connect, Wimba, CollaborateBBLearn/BBSocialAcademic Advisor Communication/EmailSkypeGoogle Hang-OutDefining RetentionCurrent models tracking persistence do not apply to online educationScholssberg's Theory of Mattering and Marginality (1989)Attention- the feeling that one is noticed Importance-the belief that one is cared about Ego Extension- the feeling that someone else will be proud of what one does or will sympathize with ones failure. Dependence- the feeling of feeling needed. Appreciation- the feeling that ones efforts are appreciated by others.Online EngagementBest Practices for Creating an Engaging Online Learning Environment:Create an Environment for Interaction and Communication to Build CommunityFind opportunities for students to work together as a teamFreedom of expression and ability to promote life experiences is importantEncourage active learning/Ability to apply knowledgeGrant, M. R. & Thornton, H. R. (2007). Best Practices in Undergraduate Adult-Centered Online Learning:Mechanisms for Course Design and Delivery. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 3(4).Orientation and TransitionAdult Learners returning to the classroomTechnology ShockContent Needed for Successful TransitionMethod by which students are on-boarded and orientedCommunication of ExpectationsFinancial ChallengesWhat Can You Take Away From This?Public Sentiment is shifting about the quality of higher education - ROI is no longer thereHow learning is defined is changing - experience vs. formal classroom trainingAccessibility to educationEducation is a right not a privilegeCDs are to MP3s as classroom learning is to MOOCsWho is a traditional student?Residential, 18-25 year old, with no work or family responsibilitiesVeteran, mother of 2 who works full timeHow we engage, communicate with and support online students needs a new paradigmIt's not necessarily a matter of money and resources, its a matter of thinking differently about how we implement our workLooking at the Student Experience http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/about-us/video-stories Adobe Connect